SOUTHAVEN – It took an extra five minutes, but the dream is still alive for the Delta State University women's basketball team, as the Lady Statesmen edged the Lady Blazers of Valdosta State, 55-52 in overtime in the semifinals Saturday of the Gulf South Conference Tournament at the DeSoto Civic Center.

Holding a one point advantage, 53-52, Delta State's Courtney Wilson, a 6-foot-1 senior from Hollandale, connected on two free throws with seven seconds remaining in overtime to seal the win for the green-and-white. Valdosta State's desperation three-point attempt from Michelle Thompson found the iron unkind as time expired.

The victory propels the three-time defending GSC champion Lady Statesmen into the championship game Sunday against Arkansas-Monticello, who defeated West Georgia 67-65 in overtime, at high noon.

“We played with a lot of intensity today, but we have to remove the mistakes if we want to win another championship,” said Sandra Rushing, Lady Statesmen head coach. “UAM is talented team, playing with a lot of emotion right now. It will be a great game.”

The first 40 minutes of action was played with reckless defensive abandon, as the scoreboard read 50-50 at the end of regulation. DSU trailed by 10 points at the 11:05 mark of the second half, only to clay back into the game thanks to several key turnovers by VSU.

The Lady Statesmen did have one final shot with 0.7 second left in regulation, but Veronica Walker's bank shot caromed off the boards as the horn sounded.

In overtime, both teams combined for seven points on just 1-of-12 field goal attempts, as VSU went 0-for-5 from the field in the extra frame.

DSU finished the game shooting 38 percent on 19-of-50 attempts. VSU fared no better, connecting on 33.9 percent (20-of-59). The Lady Statesmen out-rebounded the Lady Blazers 47-24, but saw the Lady Blazers outscore 18-8 off turnovers.

The Lady Statesmen placed three players in double figures, led by Kirsten McBride's 14 points off the bench. McBride, a 6-foot senior from Clarksdale, went 6-for-6 from the field and cleared six boards in the win.

Veronica Walker turned in her second-straight double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Bug Cooper added 13 points and four assists, while LaMaesha McAdory chipped in with seven points and 12 boards.

Erin Keller led VSU with 11 points.

Sunday's GSC championship game with Arkansas-Monticello will be telecast on GSC-TV Live starting at 11:45 a.m. on Charter Sports/Comcast Sports Southeast. The game will also be broadcast on the Lady Statesmen Sports Network starting at 11:30 a.m. Matt Jones, Troy Treasure, and J.T. Webb will have the call.